1. Power and Control: Abigail desires power and control over others, and she sees John as a potential source of gaining these. By manipulating him and using their past relationship, she hopes to influence his decisions and actions to benefit her own agenda.
2. Revenge: Abigail holds a grudge against John because he rejected her after their illicit affair. She wants to punish and shame him for this rejection by exposing their past relationship and accusing him of witchcraft.
3. Self-Preservation: As the accusations of witchcraft intensify and threaten her own safety, Abigail seeks to protect herself by deflecting attention away from her involvement and onto others, including John. She uses him as a scapegoat to ensure her own survival.
4. Social Status: Abigail aspires to improve her social standing within the Puritan community. By aligning herself with John, who is a respected member of the community, she hopes to elevate her own status and gain acceptance.
5. Love: Despite the bitter end of their affair, Abigail still harbors feelings for John. On some level, she might hope to rekindle their relationship or, at the very least, receive validation and attention from him.